Over 1000 lives lost in Indian Floods
Source: Concern Worldwide - Ireland
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Many areas previously affected by flooding
in June are facing severe flooding once again. The floods have destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure and ruined crops across 2.1 million hectares of land. Further heavy rains are forecast over
the coming week.
According to the Indian Ministry of Home affairs 68,160 livestock have perished and 592,427 houses have been damaged, 131,754 of which were completely destroyed. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Orissa and West Bengal were the worst affected both in terms of lives lost and property damaged in the last fortnight. In the state of Bihar over 11.5 million people have been affected by devastating floods. Many of the affected people are left with little food to eat or clean water to drink. Public health experts warn disease could follow as the waters recede.
Concern will supply each family with crucial relief packages. These include dry food for ten days (‘sattu’ – Bengal gram powder which is ready to eat, flattened rice, molasses and salt) and non food items such as jerry cans and water purification tablets. Concern is also providing tarpaulin sheets to 6,500 families and cooking utensil sets to 4,000 households whose houses have been washed away. Distribution is set to begin from August 14th.Concern is continuing to work with other NGOs and State agencies in assessing the needs of flood hit villages that have not yet been reached.
Houses damaged or destroyed
According to the Indian Ministry of Home affairs 68,160 livestock have perished and 592,427 houses have been damaged, 131,754 of which were completely destroyed. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Orissa and West Bengal were the worst affected both in terms of lives lost and property damaged in the last fortnight. In the state of Bihar over 11.5 million people have been affected by devastating floods. Many of the affected people are left with little food to eat or clean water to drink. Public health experts warn disease could follow as the waters recede.
Concern’s Response
Concern has been monitoring the flooding and resultant damage since mid July. Until end of July immediate food requirements of the affected and displaced people were being met by the communities themselves, local NGOs and local administration.As reports of large scale damage to crops and loss of livelihoods came in from Balasore in Orissa, Concern deputed an assessment team which recommended a small scale intervention in the Bhograi area of Orissa with livelihood restoration support. This includes providing seeds for the next crop season and wage employment for the casual and agricultural labourers. This programme will benefit about 4,000 families. In Bihar, one of the worst hit states, Concern will provide emergency relief to 10,000 flood affected families through local partner organisations GPSVS and Nav Jagriti.Relief packages
Concern will supply each family with crucial relief packages. These include dry food for ten days (‘sattu’ – Bengal gram powder which is ready to eat, flattened rice, molasses and salt) and non food items such as jerry cans and water purification tablets. Concern is also providing tarpaulin sheets to 6,500 families and cooking utensil sets to 4,000 households whose houses have been washed away. Distribution is set to begin from August 14th.Concern is continuing to work with other NGOs and State agencies in assessing the needs of flood hit villages that have not yet been reached.
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